“Maybe I’m not the ideal Krosguard soldier McVarn thought I could be. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maximus held it over my head.”
“Don’t worry about Maximus. That maniac is stuck in a cell waiting for his hearing so he can just be sent back to prison where he belongs. And, besides, being scared isn’t something to feel ashamed about.”
“How do you mean?”
“The first thing you want to know is that everyone, ultimately, wants to survive. All these wolves here – the veterans, the recruits, the eager and so on – are all going crazy with fear. As much as I hate to say it, someone here will die in seconds of the battle starting. That’s the nature of it. And all of us are just waiting to see who it’s going to be.”
“But I see all these riders joking around and looking excited about war, Axel. War. They’ll be killing someone tomorrow. Do they not see that?”
“They’re good at hiding their fear. They act pumped and train to keep their image, maintaining their dominance. I’m not saying everyone here is as compassionate as you. Some of the wolves here couldn’t care less about the rabbits and will cut them down with no hesitation. The fact you’re aware of the consequence of killing someone, no matter who they are, speaks volumes.”
“Right.”
“I think it takes guts to be open about your insecurity. Hiding it behind layers and layers of armour only stresses the fact that you can’t confront your fear. Leaving it out in the open shows you don’t care so there’s no need to hide it, right?”
“I guess. You seem kind of…”
Axel tilted his head.
“Kind of what?”
“I don’t know. That answer seemed really well-rehearsed.”
He chuckled.
“I’m passionate about it. I didn’t join the army to fight or kill, I joined to save. That hasn’t changed.”
“But you were training like us. You were training how to kill people.”
“The Krosguard don’t really want apothecaries who’ll ride out and die whenever someone corners them. I’ve got to be able to defend myself, even if it goes against what I think.”
Axel leaned in.
“But you know I was talking about how not everyone is as sensitive as you about killing?”
“Yeah?”
“I want to tell you something – do not drop your guard. Maybe some of the wolves here freak you out but the rabbits aren’t any more appealing than they are. A lot of them will try and kill you without hesitation either because they’re scared or because they hate you. Out there, Corsair, it’s about survival. Do not let your guard down, understand?”
“I understand.”
“I know what I’m saying is probably the last thing you want to hear but you need to be prepared if you want to survive this. You’re a good rider, Corsair. And a good person.”
“Don’t flatter me.”
“Don’t flatter you? Okay, maybe saying, ‘You have good control,’ or, ‘Your ictharr is fast,’ is flattery, but falling down the side of a hill and almost plummeting to your death on the first day and still surviving? It’s impossible for that to be flattery. It is just a pure hard fact that you are a good rider.”
“I almost got kicked out by McVarn because of what Quickpaw did.”
“And Quickpaw stopped me and Arwie from getting kicked out. Sure, it was an accident and you didn’t intend to do it, but it was still what saved my backside there.”
Corsair shook his head in denial.
“And Quickpaw is loyal to you. He loves you with all his heart. He’ll keep you safe. If you can survive whatever mess of a race the first day had going on, you can survive this.”
“Thanks.”
He paused.
“Axel, by the way, I’m sorry for not intervening when Arwenin was being… you know…”
“Difficult?”
“I guess. I should have. If Quickpaw didn’t drag me out there, I don’t know if I’d be having this conversation with you.”
“No big deal. It’s scary going up against whatever monster Maximus rode. But that’s done. Don’t worry about it.”
They sat there for a few more minutes, silently gazing at the fire as it fizzled out and died. They were plunged into darkness. The only light left came from the lanterns marking the path between the tents.
“Is there anything else?”
“I’m scared. That’s it.”
“It’s normal, Corsair. Everyone here is scared. You’ll make it through, I know you will, buddy.”
He nodded.
“Did this help? You talking to me?”
“It helped a bit, yeah.”
With a grunt, Axel stood.
“I’m glad to be of service. I’ll be heading to bed. Well, I say bed, but I actually mean a luxurious damp piece of padding on the ground.”
Corsair chuckled.
“I don’t mean to be your mother, either, but I think you should go back to bed soon. You’ll need all the rest you can get. Whether you listen to me is up to you but it’s the smart thing to do.”
“I will, soon. Thanks.”
Axel patted him on the shoulder, smiled and walked away. He was left alone in the dark, staring at the dead embers of the fire, knowing that what he dreaded most was only hours away.
I can do this. Screw Dad and screw everything else. I’ll survive this war. We’ll survive it. I’m strong. I’m not scared.
Solidifying his new-found resolve with a nod, he stood up and returned to bed.
The Siege of Pothole Plains
(1139, Aestiom)
The next morning passed quickly. Corsair was awoken by the deep voice of a soldier ordering the drowsy wolves to be ready for the final part of their journey to the border. Before he knew it, he found himself on Quickpaw’s back and riding towards Pothole Plains.
And, eventually, he was there.
The fields surrounding the settlement were covered with hills and bumps, with not a speck of white to be seen on the grass or the few trees. There were many small crater-like dips in the ground between the wolves and their target, some filled with clear sun-warmed water while others were empty. Corsair saw the town across the numerous hills and potholes separating them. He could see the cosy cottages and the marketplace, quaint in comparison to the one back in the capital. He could see the fields of crops around it with all the farmhouses, farmyards and barns.
He could see the specks of the enemy rushing back and forth, their cries in the Eposian tongue carrying across the plains.
It’s happening it’s happening it’s happening‒
He took a deep breath. It was nothing to panic about – he was a brave wolf. He wasn’t scared. The rabbits didn’t scare him. In minutes, they’d be fleeing from the Clan of the Great Lupine and abandoning the settlement. Nothing would stop him.
“Maintain ranks!” the officer yelled.
Before him, arranged in formation among shield-wielding wolves, were tens of soldiers placed in block-like formations. They were spaced apart evenly across the hill, archers arranged behind them and with bows ready, waiting for their signal. On his left and right were his Krosguard comrades, many of them veterans that mingled with the recruits who graduated with him. Ragnar was to his left, lance at the ready, visor up and shield held.
Quickpaw whimpered again.
“We’ll be fine,” Corsair said. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Listen to what I say and we’ll be fine.”
The ictharr gave a trembling growl, one that understood what he was saying but still doubted it. Quickpaw glanced left and right, looking at the brave faces of his fellow soldiers, trying to muster up the courage they had. Harangoth growled to get his attention and then nodded, a reassuring gesture that he appreciated.
“Alpha is present!”
Whatever murmurs circulated the ranks, whether excited or anxious, fell silent when they saw Alpha McVarn ride out in front of them. He turned, putting his back to the settlement.
“The Land of the S
un and Moon have overstayed their welcome in our settlement. They have driven our people out from their homes and into the cold to freeze to death. They have taken advantage of our hospitality and kindness sealed by the Raskartz-Amien pact. The Winter Baron wants to remind them of the consequences of threatening our people and jeopardising the safety of the Clan of the Great Lupine.”
He drew his sword.
“Today, we reclaim Pothole Plains. You are to advance towards the settlement and send the rabbits running. Raise our banner in the town centre and demonstrate to them exactly how the Clan of the Great Lupine deals with those who stand against us. Krosguard, wait for my signal to charge. Soldiers, prepare to march. Archers, ready your bows!”
“Ready bows!” a subordinate yelled.
Corsair heard stretching bowstrings as the archers nocked their arrows and aimed up into the sky, preparing to launch a volley. The soldiers before him formed walking boxes of armour, with the shields raised to form a front-facing wall and ceiling. The Clan of the Great Lupine’s insignia glared at the settlement, taunting the rabbits.
Oh God it’s happening…
“Volley!”
A hundred bowstrings snapped forwards, followed by the sound of arrows whizzing through the air. Hundreds of silhouettes shot across the ground, approaching the settlement, some embedding into the soil whilst the rest began to hit the buildings.
“Catapults!” Alpha McVarn yelled.
“Catapults!” a subordinate relayed.
The siege battery behind them flung their destructive ammunition into the sky, hurling them towards the town. They struck buildings and crushed silhouettes, sending rubble flying.
“Drums!” Alpha McVarn bellowed.
“Drums!” a subordinate yelled.
A steady beat thundered through the air as several painted wolves battered the drums, heads down in concentration.
“Shield walls, advance!”
“Forward, soldiers!”
The giant steel insects began to crawl forwards, moving down the hill and advancing towards the fields. Arrows flew back in their direction, deflecting off the shields and landing unheeded in the turf. Another volley was fired by the lupines, soaring into the sky and flying over the advancing soldiers.
“Corsair.”
He turned his head to see Ragnar looking at him.
“You’ll be fine, all right? Stay focused, don’t panic, and there’ll be nothing to worry about.”
“Ragnee‒”
“Krosguard! Visors down!” Alpha McVarn yelled.
“I love you,” his brother said, slamming down the helmet’s visor and looking away. Corsair focused his gaze on him, hoping it would not be the last time they spoke, before looking forwards and pushing his visor down. He felt the steel plating cover his snout and face. Vision was limited to the eyeholes. His breathing was loud inside the confines of the helmet, bouncing off the walls and into his crushed ears.
Stay calm stay calm…
“Ready your weapons!”
Corsair gripped his paw tighter around the shaft of the lance. Another whimper came from Quickpaw, beginning to shy away from the front rank.
He gasped as he saw boulders fly up into the sky, launched by rabbit trebuchets, and watched them come crashing down into the dirt. One struck a metal insect and crushed the warriors within it, their brief, interrupted screams of pain echoing back across the plains.
“For the Clan of the Great Lupine…”
Alpha McVarn thrusted his sword towards the settlement.
“…attack!”
With a chorus of triumphant yells, howls and the rapid beat of the war drums, the Krosguard propelled themselves down the hill. Banners attached to the necks of lances fluttered in the wind, displaying the clan’s emblem that howled in unison with them. Quickpaw charged forwards, leading his rider into the enemy. They were gaining on the shield walls, distracting the archers from their targets, and Corsair could see the distant figures begin to fire on them instead.
“Keep going, we’re doing well!”
And then the first arrow hit.
A rider ahead of him, metres off to his right, was struck in the chest by an arrow. The force behind the hit punctured the armour and he yelled out, collapsing sideways off his ictharr and rolling away. His companion squealed and turned, chasing after its rider, almost knocking down one of its comrades.
“Don’t stop!”
They arrived beside the shield walls and surged past, giving the archers cause for concern. Their aims shifted from the advancing insects to the beasts of war, firing volleys towards them.
“Incoming!”
Corsair gasped as the ictharr in front was shot in the paw, making it squeal in pain and trip over. It began barrelling towards Quickpaw, rolling towards his legs at surprising speed.
“Leap!”
Quickpaw leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding being knocked down and sent sprawling. More and more riders went down around him, dying alongside their ictharrs and collapsing on to the grass.
“Javelins!”
Nearby riders drew their javelins and hurled them towards the archers, watching them arc through the air and impale some of the rabbits. More wolves were shot down, left injured or dead in the grass.
“Keep moving!”
Corsair’s heart was thundering inside his chest, his mind racing as he processed the chaos raging around him. He heard the dying scream of an ictharr nearby. Quickpaw went taut in terror.
“We’ll be okay! Just‒”
He saw a pothole up ahead, too wide to jump over. A body of water sat inside, tranquil in the middle of the conflict, and he yanked on the reins.
“Stop!”
Quickpaw skidded to a halt, a metre short of the hole, and his master directed him away and back to the shield walls. His fellow riders kept doing circles around them, throwing javelins and drawing the enemy’s fire. Infantry began running down the hill to support them, more volleys flying through the air.
“Bridges!” a soldier yelled. “We’re here, get the bridges!”
“Bridges!”
As the shield walls arrived at the side of the potholes, their faces opened up and allowed teams of wolves to hurry out and place down
reinforced planks of wood. Each one was wide enough to allow the shield wall to cross it and strong enough to hold its weight, preventing the soldiers from falling into the waters below.
The soldiers scurried back into cover.
“Onwards! Over the bridges!”
“Krosguard, keep moving!” Alpha McVarn yelled. “Across the bridges, protect those shield walls!”
Corsair, as reluctant as he was, directed Quickpaw towards the bridges without hesitation. He sprinted towards one, eager to cross and conclude the battle.
“Stay with me, Quickpaw, come on! Faster!”
He neared the bridge, only a metre away from the side of the water-filled hole, until Corsair saw a wolf’s face peering up at him.
Then he saw the long ears.
Then he saw the short and stubby nose.
And then he realised that face did not belong to a lupine.
The waters tore open as the rabbits emerged from the concealment of the pond’s reeds, rising up with swords and spears at the ready. With the shield wall’s flanks unprotected, the lupines could only turn and yell out in panic as the rabbits closed in on them and forced them into the water, dismantling the shield wall in seconds. The sounds of ambush came from around them, with the waters churning as the rabbits rushed out from their concealed positions.
Corsair tried to yank on the reins as Quickpaw continued to travel towards the pond but it was too late. He pushed out his paws to bring him and Corsair skidding to a halt but he was travelling too fast. The ground disappeared from beneath his front paws and Corsair felt Quickpaw pitch forwards, seeing the surface of the water rise up towards him with frightening speed.
With a scream of panic, he fell from the saddle and plunged into the pond.
&nb
sp; Water seeped in through his armour and drenched his clothes, penetrating the material and soaking the fur beneath it. It poured in through the holes in his helmet and blinded him. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to endure the sting. Sightless, he thrashed and struggled, wrenching his helmet from his head and discarding it in the water. He clawed his way up, hearing the sounds of combat grow louder and louder.
With a gasp, he broke through the surface and coughed up the water he had swallowed. He furiously scrubbed his eyes and tried to get his bearings. His ears flattened as the world roared around him – all he could hear were screams of pain from wolf and rabbit alike, interrupted often by the sounds of soldiers calling to one another. Metal clashed against metal, screeching and clanging, disorienting him.
Then he heard it.
Quickpaw.
He turned left and saw his steed thrashing in the water among the battling wolves and rabbits, eyes wide in panic as he struggled against the reeds. The fact the pond was shallow did nothing to calm him – he kept clawing frantically at the water, turning his head left and right to find his master but splashing water into his eyes and blinding himself.
“Quickpaw!”
To his right, he heard a scream in Eposian and turned. A ginger rabbit dressed in a reinforced leather vest, with leather pads over the shins and forearms and shoulders, rushed through the water. A black metal helmet sat on her head, a short ridge running along the top until it protruded down and rested between her eyes like a spike. She raised her one-paw sword to slash at him. Corsair stepped back while reaching for his own weapon. He tried to draw it from its scabbard.
The hilt caught on his belt.
Oh God I can’t fight back I can’t‒
Fear driving him, he abandoned his efforts to arm himself and dived under the water, narrowly avoiding the sharp blade as it cut through the air. He swam forward, despite the weight of his armour, hoping the soldier would not persist, before he pulled himself up again.
He turned.
She had stopped pursuing him, unable to track his shape through the exploding surface of the water, but instead set her attention on the vulnerable Quickpaw, trapped in a state of terror. She waded forward, sword held by her side and ready to slay the beast.
The Sharpened Fangs Of Lupine Spirit Page 19